When USC's first-team defense realized it was receiving the ultimate preparation, USC's scout-team offense received the ultimate compliment. At that moment, members of a defense hailed as perhaps the best in the nation, found the need to talk trash to a unit full of players who hardly touch the field on Saturdays.

"As soon as they see you doing good, it's like, 'All right, well, we better get on them, see if we can get them rattled a little bit,'" true freshman wide receiver Brandon Carswell said.

Carswell has become the primary target for a quarterback who is likely the best scout-team signal caller in the country. Mitch Mustain started eight games as a true freshman for Arkansas in 2006 and must to sit out this season, after transferring.